General Tips
 

Educate yourself about the company prior to your interview. Being able to incorporate what you know about the company in an interview will show the interviewer that you’ve done your homework and are serious about working for him or her.
 

Work to establish rapport with the interviewer. Listen closely for cues on how you should act. Is he or she being formal or informal? What sort of information is he or she trying to solicit: general, professional or personal? Try to speak with the same rhythm and tone of voice.

If asked a yes/no question, don’t respond with a one word answer. Be sure to support your response with an example or explanation.
 

If asked a hypothetical question (“What would you do if…”), know the interviewer wants to see how well you can think on your feet. Be thoughtful, avoid giving a “know-it-all” response. Instead indicate your response would probably require the opportunity to talk with involved parties to learn more details and get an accurate picture of situation, etc. 
 

Past experiences are great indicators of future performance/behaviors. Examples are a great way of highlighting past experiences.
 

It’s okay to be nervous. But make sure you know what your tendencies are when you’re nervous (i.e. twisting a ring on your finger, talking excessively with your hands, fiddling with a pen) and then make sure you mentally ask yourself several times during the inter view if you’re doing any of these things. Also, make sure you are physically comfortable when you sit down for the interview. If you’re comfortable physically, you’ll be more comfortable mentally. And finally, it’s easy when you’re nervous to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind when asked a question.  Resist this urge! Take a few seconds to collect your thoughts before answering each question. 

Within 24 hours of the interview, write the interviewer a thank you note. Be sure to show appreciation for the employer’s time invested and interest in you, reiterate your interest in the position and the organization and make sure you follow up with any information the employer may have asked you to provide after the interview.

Typical Questions Asked in an Interview
 

Tell me about yourself.  This is the most often asked question in an interview. Have a short statement prepared in your mind, but make sure it doesn’t sound too rehearsed. 

What experience do you have in this field?  Be specific, especially as it relates to the position you’re interviewing for. If you feel like you don’t have too much experience, don’t begin your answer apologizing or indicating you don’t have much experience. Focus on the positive!

What would your <peers or professors or supervisors> say about you?  Be prepared to give an actual example or paraphrased quote to explain your answer.
 

Are you applying for other jobs?  Be honest but don’t spend a lot of time in this area.

Questions about specific traits/skills a company is looking for such as being a team player, working well under pressure, etc.  Have examples ready. 
 

Why should we hire you? What is your greatest strength?  Why do you think you would do well at this job?  There are scads of ways someone may ask about your strengths. Be sure to provide at least two strengths, explain (with examples if possible) and be matter-of-fact. Your response is key! Don’t go into a monologue but be sure to answer thoroughly. Be thoughtful in choosing the skills, experiences and interests you want to highlight. You need to put plenty of thought into this response prior to the interview!

What will hold you back from reaching your potential?  What areas do you need to work on?  Just like the “strengths” question, the “weaknesses” question can also be asked in many different ways. Be prepared to provide at least two areas to work on but don’t stop there. Follow-up with ways you’re working on them and/or how it can be a positive trait in certain situations. DO NOT be caught off guard with this question. Saying you can’t think of anything or there are too many to pick from is not an appropriate response.

Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor.  Be very careful with your response. This could be a huge trap, a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss or previous company. Try to stay positive and avoid speaking negatively about someone’s character or skills. Your best option might be to mention an unfortunate situation. 
 

What have you learned from your mistakes?  Make it a small, well-intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned (i.e. working too far ahead of peers on a project and thus throwing coordination off).

Do you have any questions for me?  Always have some questions prepared.  Write them down if necessary. Be sure to stay positive! Potential questions:  What do you (the interviewer) enjoy most about working for this company? How has the company grown in the last few years? 

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